Transitional Sippy Cup

ABSTRACT

A sippy cup has a body defining an interior beverage space and having a top opening. A lid removably covers the top opening of the body and includes a drinking member having a drink opening. A straw assembly includes flexible tubing having a proximal end attached to the drink opening and a distal end having a weight positioned thereon. The drinking member is accessible by a user for drinking with the drink opening of the drinking member in fluid communication with the interior beverage space of the body through the flexible tubing.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/211,619, filed Jun. 17, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to sippy cups for use by children and, in particular, to a transitional sippy cup that may be reconfigured for continued use as a child grows through different developmental stages.

BACKGROUND

Sippy cups are popular beverage containers that enable infants, toddlers and other young children to learn to drink and drink with a reduced chance of spillage.

It is desirable for a sippy cup to be adaptable to the needs of child as the child grows through different developmental stages. Such a capability would extend the useful life of the sippy cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled body and handle in an embodiment of the sippy cup of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the body and handle of FIG. 1 in a disassembled configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of sipper configuration components for use with the sippy cup body and handle of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the sipper insert and lid of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the straw assembly, sipper insert and lid of FIG. 3 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 6A is front perspective view of a sippy cup including the components of FIGS. 1-5 with the top cap in an open configuration or position;

FIG. 6B is a front perspective view of the sippy cup of FIG. 6A with the top cap in a closed configuration or position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of drinking straw configuration components for use with the sippy cup body and handle of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the lid and insert components of FIG. 7 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 9A is a bottom perspective view of the lid and drinking straw insert of FIG. 7 prior to the vent valve being fully installed;

FIG. 9B is a bottom perspective view of the lid and drinking straw insert of FIG. 9A with the valve fully installed.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the straw assembly, drinking straw insert and lid of FIG. 3 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 11A is front perspective view of a sippy cup including the components of FIGS. 1, 2 and 7-10 with the top cap in an open configuration or position;

FIG. 11B is a front perspective view of the sippy cup of FIG. 11A with the top cap in a closed configuration or position.

SUMMARY

There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the devices and systems described and claimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

In one aspect, a sippy cup includes a body defining an interior beverage space and having a top opening. A lid removably covers the top opening of the body and includes a drinking member having a drink opening. A straw assembly includes flexible tubing having a proximal end attached to the drink opening and a distal end having a weight positioned thereon. The drinking member is accessed by a user for drinking with the drink opening of the drinking member in fluid communication with the interior beverage space of the body through the flexible tubing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The body and handle in an embodiment of the sippy cup of the disclosure are indicated in general at 22 and 24, respectively, in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The body 22 defines an interior beverage space 25 and includes a top opening 26 surrounded by a threaded rim 28. The body also includes a sidewall 32 and a bottom 34. The sidewall 32 may include an inner wall (indicated in phantom at 37 in FIG. 1 ) and an outer wall so that an annular space is defined therebetween. The annular space may be evacuated of air to provide vacuum insulation. The bottom 34 may include a round inner panel (indicated in phantom at 35 in FIG. 1 ) that forms the bottom surface of the interior beverage space and is circumferentially joined to the bottom edge of the inner wall. A bottom cap, as part of the bottom 34, may be positioned over the round inner panel of the bottom with the space defined between the bottom cap and the round inner panel also evacuated of air to provide vacuum insulation.

The handle 24 includes a collar portion 36 and gripping portions 38 a and 38 b. While two gripping portions 38 a and 38 b are illustrated, a different number of gripping portions may instead be provided.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the body 22 includes a reduced diameter portion 42, the lower edge of which is bordered by circumferential shoulder 44. The collar portion 36 of the handle 24 defines a central opening 46 that is sized to receive the reduced diameter portion 42 and abut the circumferential shoulder 44 so that the handle 24 may be removably mounted on the body 22. As a result, the handle 24 may be provided on the body for infants and other younger users, but removed when the child is developed enough to be able to grip the body 22 when drinking.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a recess 48 may optionally be provided on the inner surface of the collar portion 36 of the handle with a corresponding tab (indicated in phantom at 50) formed on the reduced diameter portion 42 of the body 22. The tab 50 engages the recess 48 when the handle 24 is positioned on the body to prevent the handle from rotating with respect to the body for ease of use.

The components illustrated in FIG. 3 may be used to configure the sippy cup for use by younger users.

A sipper insert, indicated in general at 52 in FIGS. 3 and 4 , is preferably constructed of silicone or a similar material and features a hollow resilient drinking member in the form of a nozzle or spout 54 shaped to be easily received in an infant's mouth. A pair of drinking slits 56 are formed on the top end of the nozzle and serve as a drink opening. More specifically, the drinking slits are normally closed but open in response to suction (such as by a drinking infant) so that liquid may pass from the interior beverage space of the sippy cup body through the spout or nozzle 54. While two slits are illustrated, the nozzle may instead include a different number of slits. The insert 52 also includes a circumferential recess 58 surrounded by a gasket ring 61.

The sipper insert also includes a valve, indicated in general at 62 in FIG. 4 , where the underside of the sipper insert 52 is illustrated. The valve 62 includes a downwardly extending hollow stem 64 with a tapered end that includes a vent slit 66. The vent slit 66 is normally closed to prevent spillage, but opens in response to suction within interior beverage space of the sippy cup body, which occurs when a child is drinking from the cup. The open vent slit 66 permits air to enter the interior beverage space so that liquid may pass out of the interior beverage space of the sippy cup body through the nozzle. Alternative one-way or check valves known in the art may be used in place of the vent slit 66 of vent valve 62.

A lid, indicated in general at 72 in FIGS. 3 and 4 , features a downwardly extending skirt portion 74 with internal threads 76 that engage the threads 28 of the cup body (FIG. 1 ) when the lid is positioned on the body. In addition, the lid 72 features a rim 75 at the top end of the skirt portion 74 having an opening 78 sized to be engaged and sealed by the circumferential recess 58 of the insert 52. As a result, the sipper insert 52 may be positioned within the opening 78 of the lid in a sealing fashion as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6A. The gasket ring 61 of the insert 52 (FIGS. 4 and 5 ) when installed in the lid 72 is engaged by the top edge of the cup body 22 (FIG. 1 ) surrounding the top opening 26 in a sealing fashion when the lid is installed on the cup body (as in FIGS. 6A and 6B).

Returning to FIG. 3 , a straw assembly, indicated in general at 82, includes flexible tubing 84 having a proximal end attached to a joint member 86. The distal end of the flexible tubing 84 is connected to a weight 88. As an example only, the flexible tubing may be formed from silicone. In the illustrated embodiment, the weight consists of metal cylinder that is wrapped and sealed in silicone material that is integrally formed with the tubing 84. An opening 92 formed in the silicone material of the weight is in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the flexible tubing 84. The weight 88 may be attached to the distal end of the tubing 84 using alternative arrangements known in the art.

The joint member 86, which is preferably molded from plastic, includes a gripping tab 94, a plug portion 96 and a nipple 98. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the nipple 98 is inserted into the fluid passage of the tubing 84 to attach the proximal end of the tubing to the joint member 86. A fluid passage passes through the nipple 98 and the plug portion 96 of the joint member 86 and is in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the tubing 84.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , a socket 102 is positioned on the bottom end of the nozzle 54 so as to be positioned within the sippy cup body when the sipper insert 52 is installed in the lid 72 and the lid is installed on the sippy cup body 22 (as illustrated in FIG. 6A).

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the plug portion (96 in FIG. 3 ) is positioned within the socket 102 of the sipper insert 52 so that the straw assembly 82 is attached to the sipper insert 52 and the lid 72. A user may grasp the gripping tab 94 with his or her fingertips to facilitate joining the joint member 86 to the sipper insert 52.

The length of the tubing 84 of FIGS. 3 and 5 is such that the weight 88 is submerged in liquid that is in the cup and rests on the bottom of the interior beverage space of the cup body 22 of FIG. 6A (i.e. on the internal surface of the round inner panel 35 of the cup body bottom 34 of FIG. 1 ) when the cup is upright (as illustrated in FIG. 6A). The weight 88 also is submerged in liquid that is in the cup and rests on the side of the interior beverage space of the cup body (i.e. on the inner surface of the inner wall 37 of the sidewall 32 of the cup body 22 of FIG. 1 ) when the cup is tilted during drinking. As a result, air bubbles within the flexible tube 84 are reduced in that the opening 92 of the straw assembly is adjacent to the bottom of the interior beverage space of the sippy cup when the cup is upright or the side of the interior beverage space of the sippy cup when the cup is tilted during drinking, and thus remains submerged in liquid remaining in the cup until such liquid levels (on the cup interior beverage surface bottom 35 or side 37 of FIG. 1 ) get very low.

In an alternative embodiment, the length of the tubing 84 of the straw assembly may be such that the weight 88 is suspended within the interior beverage space of the sippy cup just above the bottom of the internal beverage space of the cup body 22 of FIG. 6A (i.e. just above the internal surface of the round inner panel 35 of the cup body bottom 34 of FIG. 1 ).

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, 6A and 6B, the lid 72 also includes a top cap 112 that is attached to the rim portion 75 via hinge 114. The top cap 112 is shown in the open configuration in FIG. 6A, whereby a child may drink from the sippy cup, and a closed configuration in FIG. 6B, whereby the sippy cup may be stored or carried when not in use.

The components illustrated in FIG. 7 may be used to configure the sippy cup with a drinking straw as the drinking member instead of the sipper spout or nozzle 54 of the configuration of FIGS. 3-6B.

A straw insert, indicated in general at 122 in FIGS. 3 and 4 , is preferably constructed of silicone or a similar material and features a drinking member in the form of resilient drinking straw 124, a socket 126 and a vent valve, indicated in general at 128. The drinking straw 124 includes a drink opening 127 that passes through the drinking straw 124 and the socket 126. The insert 122 also includes a circumferential recess 132. The vent valve 128 includes a hollow stem 134 with a tapered end that includes a vent slit 136. When installed on the lid 142 of FIG. 7 (as described below) the vent slit 136 is normally closed to prevent spillage, but opens in response to suction within interior beverage space of the sippy cup body, which occurs when a child is drinking from the cup via straw 124. The open vent slit 136 permits air to enter the interior beverage space so that liquid may pass out of the interior beverage space of the sippy cup body through the drinking straw 124. Alternative one-way or check valves known in the art may be used in place of the vent slit 136 of vent valve 128.

A lid, indicated in general at 142 in FIGS. 7 and 8 , features a downwardly extending skirt portion 144 with internal threads 146 (also shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B) that engage the threads 28 of the cup body (FIG. 1 ) when the lid is positioned on the body. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7 , the lid 142 features a rim 145 at the top end of the skirt portion 144 having an opening 148 sized to be engaged and sealed by the circumferential recess 132 of the insert 122. As a result, the straw insert 122 may be positioned within the opening 148 of the lid in a sealing fashion as illustrated in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 11A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the underside of the rim 145 of the lid features a vent nipple 147 having an opening 149 that, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , extends through the top surface of the lid. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the stem 134 of the vent valve 128 is installed on the vent nipple, which is sized to retain the vent valve in the position illustrated in FIG. 9B.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , a gasket ring 162 includes an inwardly projecting alignment tab 164. As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the underside of the lid rim 145 includes an annular channel 166 that is sized to receive and retain the gasket ring 162. The annular channel 166 is provided with a recess 165 that is sized to receive the alignment tab 164 of the gasket ring.

A straw assembly, indicated in general at 152 in FIG. 7 , includes the same construction and functionality (when installed in the lid 142 and placed on the body 22 of the sippy cup, as illustrated in if FIGS. 11A and 11B) of the straw assembly 82 of FIG. 3 .

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the straw assembly 152 of FIG. 7 is attached to the socket 126 of the straw insert, having previously been installed within the lid 142, in the same manner described above for the straw assembly 82 of FIGS. 3 and 5 .

The gasket ring 162 of FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10 , which is preferably constructed from silicone, when installed in the lid 142 is engaged by the top edge of the cup body 22 (FIG. 1 ) surrounding the top opening 26 in a sealing fashion when the lid is installed on the cup body (as in FIGS. 11A and 11B).

As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 11A and 11B, the lid 142 also includes a top cap 172 that is attached to the rim portion 145 via hinge 174. The top cap 172 is shown in the open configuration in FIG. 11A, whereby a child may drink from the sippy cup, and a closed configuration in FIG. 11B, whereby the sippy cup may be stored or carried when not in use.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the lid 142 is provided with a cap latch having a toggle button 176. The toggle button 176 includes an undercut 178 (FIG. 8 ) and is pivotally mounted to the lid via a pivot connection 182. A compression coil spring is positioned under the lower portion 184 of the toggle button 176 and urges the toggle button into the position illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 . As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the lid 172 includes a hood 186 within which a latching surface 188 is positioned. When the top cap 172 is in the closed configuration illustrated in FIG. 11B, the undercut 178 (FIG. 8 ) of the toggle button 176 engages the latching surface 188 to lock the top cap, and thus the lid 142, in the closed configuration.

A locking loop, indicated at 192 of FIGS. 7, 8, 11A and 11B may be pivoted about pivot connection 182 into the lock position illustrated in phantom in FIG. 11B to further lock the top cap 172 into the closed configuration of FIG. 11B in the event that the toggle button is inadvertently actuated as described below.

To open the top cap 176, after the locking loop 192 is pivoted into the release position illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 11A, the lower portion 184 (FIGS. 7 and 8 ) of the toggle button 176 is pressed so that the toggle button pivots in the direction of arrow 194 of FIG. 8 . With continued reference to FIG. 8 , this causes the undercut 178 of the toggle button 176 to disengage from the latching surface 188 of the top cap 172. The drinking straw 124 (FIGS. 7, 8 and 11A), due to its resiliency, pushes up on the inner surface of the top cap 176 when the top cap is in the position illustrated in FIG. 11B so that the top cap 172 rises to the position illustrated in FIG. 8 when the undercut 178 of the toggle button disengages from the latching surface 188 of the top cap.

While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sippy cup comprising: a. a body defining an interior beverage space and having a top opening; b. a lid configured to removably cover the top opening of the body, said lid including a drinking member having a drink opening; c. a straw assembly including flexible tubing having a proximal end attached to the drink opening and a distal end having a weight positioned thereon; d. said drinking member configured to be accessed by a user for drinking with the drink opening of the drinking member in fluid communication with the interior beverage space of the body through the flexible tubing.
 2. The sippy cup of claim 1 wherein the lid includes an insert opening that removably receives an insert including the drinking member.
 3. The sippy cup of claim 2 wherein the insert is a sipper insert including a spout and wherein the drink opening includes a drinking slit.
 4. The sippy cup of claim 2 wherein the insert is a drinking straw insert including a drinking straw.
 5. The sippy cup of claim 2 wherein the insert includes a vent.
 6. The sippy cup of claim 5 wherein the vent includes a venting slit.
 7. The sippy cup of claim 2 wherein the insert is constructed from silicone.
 8. The sippy cup of claim 1 wherein the flexible tubing has a length such that the weight rests on a bottom of the body.
 9. The sippy cup of claim 1 wherein the flexible tubing includes a material that surrounds the weight with a fluid passage of the flexible tubing passing through the weight.
 10. The sippy cup of claim 9 wherein the material of the flexible tubing includes silicone and the weight is a metal cylinder.
 11. The sippy cup of claim 1 wherein the lid includes an insert opening that removably receives an insert including the drinking member and a socket and wherein the straw assembly includes a joint member attached to the proximal end of the flexible tubing, said joint member configured to engage the socket of the insert so that the proximal end of the straw assembly is attached to the insert.
 12. The sippy cup of claim 11 wherein the joint member includes a gripping tab.
 13. The sippy cup of claim 1 wherein the lid includes a top cap, a rim and a hinge with the hinge pivotally attaching the top cap to the rim so that the top cap may pivot between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and further comprising: e. a toggle button configured to secure the top cap in the closed configuration and, when actuated, to release the top so that it may be pivoted into the open configuration; f. a locking loop configured to pivot between a lock position and a release position, where the top cap is secured in the closed configuration even as the toggle button is actuated when the locking loop is in the lock position.
 14. The sippy cup of claim 13 wherein the toggle button and the locking loop are pivotally attached to the rim of the lid by a pivot connection.
 15. The sippy cup of claim 1 further comprising a handle removably attached to the body.
 16. The sippy cup of claim 1 wherein the lid is removably secured to the body by a threaded connection.
 17. The sippy cup of claim 1 wherein the drinking member is a spout.
 18. The sippy cup of claim 17 wherein the spout is constructed of silicone.
 19. The sippy cup of claim 1 wherein the drinking member is a drinking straw.
 20. The sippy cup of claim 19 wherein the drinking straw is constructed of silicone. 